Executive Director

Executive Director- The Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a motivated, innovative, strategic leader to join our team as Executive Director because we have ambitious plans. Our programing, training, and support groups help save lives by enabling the kind of conversations that can make a difference. We constantly work to fight the stigma surrounding death by suicide and encourage seeking help through various methods.

The ED is responsible for helping lead RCSP in removing the stigma associated with suicide through programming, education/awareness activities, and creating safe spaces to talk about suicide in our community.

Reporting directly to a Governance Board of Directors, the ED will lead our mandate, provide leadership, strong resource management and advocacy for the organization. The Executive Director must establish themselves and RCSP as a visible and active presence in the community. Ideally, you have a genuine passion for advancing and improving the community and will be motivated by this opportunity to focus your talents and skills with the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention.

We are funded by a mixture of public health contracts, grants, fundraising and donations from our wonderful supporters in the community. The ED will be a dynamic leader with substantial and proven fundraising experience, progressive leadership within the non-profit sector, high-level communications and marketing skills, a passion for mental health or community improvement.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Outreach and Community Relations

• Act as the organization’s spokesperson with stakeholders – promote RCSP’s mission/vision and increase community awareness of RCSP and its services.
• Assist the Board to fulfil its governance functions by providing good quality, appropriate and timely information and recommendations on all relevant matters.
• Establish working relationships with a broad range of community groups, all levels of government, and other organizations, both Indigenous and others, to work toward common objectives.

Financial Management

• Plan and track income and expenditures for each program’s annual budget and funding proposals ensuring adherence to program policy and funders’ regulations and timeframes.
• Oversee financial activities related to the annual and day-to-day operation of RCSP
• Keep the BOD informed through regular reports outlining the organization’s revenues, expenses, and cash flows.
• Oversee income/expenditures for projects, grants, etc.
• Oversee fundraising events.

Administration

• Write or supervise the writing of grants, funding applications and reports (ensuring timely submission.)
• Liaise with Board of Directors; arrange and attend monthly meetings and the Annual General Meeting. Prepare agenda for meetings; ensure that monthly minutes and program reports are recorded and distributed before meetings for review time.
• Ensure Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention Policy & Procedures Manual is built to current best practices, accurate and reviewed regularly.
• Supervise the administration of agency programs.

People Management

• Create a supportive and safe working space for all employees and volunteers following Alberta Employment Standards and Alberta Human Rights.
• Ensure proper recruitment, hiring, and training of employees, contractors, and volunteers to develop a strong team to contribute to the organization’s mission/vision and objectives.
• Serve as the supervisor to all staff or make sure that a staff supervision process is established subject to RCSP Policy and Procedure.

Program Development and Training

• Coordinate strategic planning, program development, and evaluations for the Centre’s overall operations.
• Seek funding as needed from various sources to address gaps in the mental health system related to suicide prevention.
• Attend training sessions or conferences dealing with suicide and topics related to the position.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Desire and ability to provide long-range direction and leadership for planning and directing strategic goals.
• Experience in managing a non-profit community resource-based agency, including staff and contractor management.
• Strong financial understanding of operational budgets and forecasts.
• Experience with grant writing and granting application processes.
• Strong record-keeping and documentation abilities.
• Planning and implementing a fundraising strategy for individual, mid-level and major donors.
• Cultivating and nurturing existing annual donors and major givers.
• Identifying and writing proposals to appropriate agencies, government departments, etc. and adhering to reporting requirements for each successful application.
• Adhere to Canadian charity administration, reporting and regulatory requirements.

Personal Attributes

• Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks at once: Set priorities, develop a personal schedule, record goals, and track progress.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills: speak, listen, and write clearly.
• Able to understand questions and convey appropriate information in response.
• Good reading comprehension skills: read and understand the information in work-related procedural documents.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills, including an ability to motivate and work with various people.
• Problem solver. Able to assess issues, identify causes, generate solutions, and make decisions when appropriate.
• Positively influence others to meet and exceed goals that are in the best interests of the organization.
• When required, work irregular hours, evenings or weekends.

Additional Skills and Assets

• Media relations experience
• Supervisory experience of a remote and local team
• Previous successful efforts in fundraising
• Collaboration experience with similar agencies
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
• ASIST workshop certification

Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications.

We want to thank all applicants in advance for their interest, and only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The deadline for applications is October 11th, 2021. The anticipated start date is November 1st, 2021 subject to candidate availability. The first round of interviews will be held virtually to be arranged with candidates and the Hiring Committee.

People with personal experience of suicide or suicidal behaviour, disability, Indigenous persons, people who identify as LGTBQ2S+ and people from other diverse backgrounds and priority populations are encouraged to apply.

A resume and cover letter are required.